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A Final Wish - XI: Seizing Waqraa
Shadow Claim

The night of the city was dark and gloomy, with a strange presence hanging over Waqraa. The sandstorm that had struck it had caused minimal damage, although it created far more instability in the days following. A number of preachers had begun to state that the great storm was a sign of the spirits’ displeasure at the current state of the sultanate, pointing to the Blue Banner Revolt as further proof of the sultanate’s impending doom.

If only they knew what was coming.

The silent halls of the palace were barren, save for the meeting that was occurring in hushed whispers. Both Raniyah and Dabir were present, leading the secretive meeting. They would finally be conducting the grand overthrow, a process that would require ambushing the many residences of their opponents in the dead of night. As such, Dabir had invited Fatin Kabas, the garrison commander of the city. Most other troops were gathered around forts along the sultanate’s main rivers, leaving the city guard as the only soldiers located in Waqraa proper. As such, they would be crucial to succeeding in the operation.

It was a silent meeting, simply reviewing the plans they had set out so long ago. They could arrest and execute those who opposed the plan to integrate the sultanate. It was simple enough, considering the size of Waqraa’s garrison. However, word was likely to spread like wildfire once they commenced the plan, so speed was crucial in seizing fill control.

And so, they dispersed, with Fatin leaving to oversee the plan in the streets themselves. There were dozens of high officials who opposed their plans to integrate the sultanate into the Nabiinate, meaning there were dozens of men they needed to arrest and execute. Silence was crucial, for the people of Waqraa would likely revolt under the thought of being ruled by a Calameran. They failed to understand the true danger the Nabiinate posed, and the benefit they would be gaining from peaceful integration.

The grand manor of Zafir Samad was located in the finest district of the city. A number of the city’s power brokers were located along this stretch of wide road. Zafir, as the head of the military and the only man who could attempt to push back the coup, would have to be killed. He was indeed popular amongst the people, as he had repelled a massive invasion conducted by the mountain men to the sultanate’s east. The soldiers stormed into the manor, uncaring of whoever heard them.

A servant scampered up to them, a panicked look present upon his youthful face. “What business do you have here!?”

Fatin, who had decided to personally lead this attack on Zafir’s home, answered the young man, “We’ve come to execute Zafir Samad for his crimes against the sultanate. He has endangered every institution and person within the territories overseen by Waqraa. From the blue banners to the imposing Nabiinate, he has failed on every level. As such, he will be deposed and executed by the order of Amir Dabir and Amira Raniyah.”

He gestured for his men to continue searching through the expansive home. It was quite large, being Zafir’s primary residence, while the other wealthy occupants of the city spent most of their time in large countryside estates.

Zafir was dragged from his bead, yelling and thrashing as the soldiers threw him to the floor. “By the order of Amir Dabir and Amira Raniyah, for the stability of the sultanate, you will be executed promptly.” Fatin stated, his words jumbled and quick. Before Zafir could sputter out an answer, a soldier had decapitated the former general. “Now men, continue on, sunrise is approaching.”

***

Raniyah looked over Waqraa, a glint in her eye as she could see the small figures dragging and yelling out orders. It was a scene of chaos and perfection, the day had finally come. Dabir stepped up beside her, the two silently watching over the chaos now filling the city’s streets.

“They’ll be safe in the end, for the Nabiin is gentle and prefers the art of diplomacy over brutal war. He has the ability to crush all of our forces, but he’s sensible. It’s thankful that he’s the man I had to deal with rather than a blind warmonger.” Raniyah stated, observing the torches carried by the many soldiers now perusing the streets. “Waqraa will be in good hands under his righteous governance.”

“I certainly hope so, but I trust your judgement Raniyah.” Dabir replied, turning his head away from the carnage he could see occurring just below. “I’ve had a letter sent north to inform his armies of the coup occurring today. They’ll be on the march, so we should get men over to Thajh and Ab-Daji before they end up sieging out two major cities. Once this is over, we’ll have full control over Waqraa. Unfortunately full control of the sultanate is far harder, considering the blue banners to the south and the instability likely to follow this massive upheaval.”

Raniyah turned to Dabir, “Which is why we’ve placed our hope into the hands of the Nabiin. Besides, we’re secured for the most part. The marriage will tie our family into his, thus making integration and the like far easier.”

“I certainly hope so,” Dabir replied airily, looking up at the terrace ceiling. “Based upon your letters, it seems I’ll enjoy the presence of Nabiin Khalid. That is, unless you’ve embellished certain aspects about him?”

“You know me, I wouldn’t do such things. He’ll rule our people with dignity, instead of fully crushing them as one would expect. Those policies are only enacted by those who have decided upon resisting the conquests set forth by his generals. We’ll simply be integrated into the bureaucratic apparatus of Majarabad.” Raniyah said, leaning upon the stone wall between the large terrace and a sloping hill downward. “I’ll be the Nabiya and you’ll likely be a governor. You have the skill for a position like that.”

“Perhaps rule over Kabair as a provincial governor?” Dabir mused, still facing away from the soldiers marching through the streets.

“Well, any province but Kabair. I believe Khalid would place you in a governorship far from Waqraa, considering you already have ties here. It’s a caveat, but you would still be placed as a governor.”

Dabir sighed, so he would have to abandon the city he had grown up in to rise in the Nabiinate. “I suppose it’s doable, being able to become a governor would be a quite steady position in the Nabiinate. We should probably save these discussions for when he actually arrives in Waqraa proper, for the next few months are murky in what will come next.”

By sunrise, the city was fully in their hands. The Waqraa garrison had killed or imprisoned nearly all opponents to the integration plan. Although the next few months were likely to be chaotic and seeped in a fog of unknowing, this was a success for their cause.